Anyone know which B&M retailers make donations to non-profit organizations?

[Ttulipss]

Who's got the best deal out there on markers, crayons, glue, scissors? Better yet, anyone aware of which B&M retailers are willing to donate to non-profit organizations?

I'm coordinating the crafts for my church's Vacation Bible School and these are the only things left that are needed.....I am hoping to get the items donated by a local retailer - office supply, k-mart, walmart, etc. Any ideas?

I was hoping Michaels would donate the other materials needed, but found out that you have to send or fax in your request and it takes 4-6 weeks to get an answer.

We just had our meeting about 2 weeks ago and VBS is next week, so a 4-6 week wait was out of line. DH and I decided to just go ahead and purchase the items and donate them to the church ourselves, but I am still in need of these other items.

[cata5]

I've never asked at target, but they do sooo many things for charities and events! They donate 1% of your purchases that are charged to your Target cc to a school of your choice. Every time you go in, you can see thank you notes written from Scouts and other groups. I would start with Target. Then call every other store similar...They probably all have their rules and most likely all will need a letter of request for their records for when they write it off. Good Luck!!

BTW, overall, I think they've had the better deals for back to school supplies...

[Ttulipss]

Thanks cata.....I'll give them a call this morning!!

[Ttulipss]

Well, I figured I probably didn't have the time to go throught the "getting approved for a donation" process from the B&M's, so after talking with dh, we decided we would just pay for it all and donate it ourselves. We're a small church and it's looking about 40 or so kids......1 craft each night......5 nights. I ended up getting it all at Michaels and Target, and just a couple of items I couldn't find at JoAnns. The total......about $150.00. Not bad!

It will be a crazy but fun week, next week! Thanks again for your insight cata!

[hannahsmom]

wish you'd seen my post on free school supplies at walgreens! between there and rite aid (and a few multiple addresses to send rebates to) you could have gotten quite a bit of stuff for free!! i don't cruise by the "help me find a deal" forum enough. (wish they'd combine it w/ "i. and r. deals") sorry i didn't see your post sooner, paula.

[Ttulipss]

Paula.......don't worry about it....I'm just sorry I missed your posts! That would have been great, though! At least it wasn't too bad, especially for what's it's for ~ A fun week of Vacation Bible School to help the little ones learn about Jesus! Well worth the money!

[hannahsmom]

walgreen's single rebate club has a huge push on free supplies every year in august. you might watch your circular because free stuff will change weekly. (and if you don't live near one, they are having a free shipping over $25 promo!) rite aid does a similar thing, only w/ fewer items. maybe you can stock up for next year? (hannah is 21 months old, and has enough school supplies to see her thru high school!) p.s. if you want to check it out this week, it ends tomorrow, but one of the things you could certainly use is the 72 pack color club markers, 99 cents after rebate! multi-use or ink jet paper, too.

[Ttulipss]

Originally posted by hannahsmom
walgreen's single rebate club has a huge push on free supplies every year in august. you might watch your circular because free stuff will change weekly. (and if you don't live near one, they are having a free shipping over $25 promo!) rite aid does a similar thing, only w/ fewer items. maybe you can stock up for next year? (hannah is 21 months old, and has enough school supplies to see her thru high school!) p.s. if you want to check it out this week, it ends tomorrow, but one of the things you could certainly use is the 72 pack color club markers, 99 cents after rebate! multi-use or ink jet paper, too.

GREAT! I will check it out! Dh is working tomorrow so the girls and I will head on over there! Depending on if they still have some of the supplies...I could always return the others.....

You are too funny about Hannah's school supplies! LOL!! But not a bad idea, either! Just might have to take it and run with it myself......will save on school shopping down the road (my girls are 2 & 3) and being that they ARE girls, clothes will be cost enough as it is!

[sandyjunebug]

All you need is a letter requesting donations signed by someone in charge of your organization. Walmart has given to our school in the past as well as the local groceries and many bigger businesses. It takes some work to do but the rewards are great. Maybe you won't get art supplies but you'll wind up with diffenrent items that can help out a great deal so that money can be spent elsewhere. Companies like to be apporached in advance so that they can include this in their donations planning.
Be honest and don't be afraid of being turned down a few times.
Good luck!

[Ttulipss]

Thanks for the info.....looks like it would be too late, though. We didn't have a whole lot of time before it all so I just went ahead and purchased everything last week.

I had picked up Crayola 8-pk of Markers at Target last week for $2.97 and now they're on sale at Wal-Mart for $.97 but for the 10-pk Crayola markers. As soon as dd's get up, I'm out the door to go pick some up and then return the others to Target!